The collection features insightful non-fiction essays by a young Chamoru scholar-activist, exploring the contemporary experiences of Guam's indigenous population. Through personal narratives and cultural reflections, the author sheds light on the challenges and resilience of the Chamoru people, offering a poignant perspective on identity, activism, and the impact of colonial history on their lives.
The essays by Chamorro writer Julian Aguon shed light on the struggles faced by the Chamorro people in Guam, an unincorporated US territory. Highlighting Guam's unique status, Aguon explores the implications of its governance under the Organic Act rather than the US Constitution. The narrative emphasizes the disconnect between the island's representation by a non-voting Congressperson and the reality of its administration by the Office of Insular Affairs, aiming to raise awareness about the challenges and identity of the Chamorro community.
Micronesia represents a critical crossroads for humanity, embodying communal living and sustainable practices that stand in stark contrast to global consumerism. As the region faces the threat of cultural erosion, the survival of its interconnected way of life is essential for the future of sustainable humanity. The book emphasizes the importance of preserving indigenous imagination and sustainable living, arguing that the loss of these values could signal a dire future for all people. The fate of Micronesia serves as a warning about the broader implications of cultural homogenization.
'A powerful, beautiful book. Its fierce love - of the land, the ocean, the elders and the ancestors - warms the heart and moves the spirit.' - Alice Walker, author of The Color Purple Part memoir, part manifesto, Chamorro climate activist Julian Aguon's No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies is a coming-of-age story and a call for justice-for everyone, but in particular, for Indigenous peoples. Aguon beautifully weaves together stories from his childhood in the villages of Guam with searing political commentary about matters ranging from nuclear weapons to global warming. Bearing witness and reckoning with the challenges of truth-telling in an era of rampant obfuscation, he culls from his own life experiences to illuminate a collective path out of the darkness. A powerful and bold new voice writing at the intersection of Indigenous rights and environmental justice, Aguon is entrenched in the struggles of the people of the Pacific who are fighting to liberate themselves from colonial rule, defend their sacred sites and obtain justice for generations of harm. In No Country for Eight-Spot Butterflies, Aguon shares his wisdom and reflections on love, grief, joy and triumph, and extends an offer to join him in a hard-earned hope for a better world.
Part memoir, part manifesto, The Properties of Perpetual Light is a collection of soulful ruminations about love, loss, struggle, resilience, and power--a coming-of-age story and a call for justice.